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g.png"><figcaption>Trekking through the pine forestry on the way to Upper Pisang</figcaption></figure>Trekking Day #2 — Day two of trekking in Nepalese mountains and it was all about reaching Brakha. On our journey from Upper Pisang to Brakha, we were on a surreal odyssey that felt like stepping into a realm where time itself had slowed down. As we left the charming village of Upper Pisang behind, the terrain transformed into a dreamscape of rugged beauty. The landscape was dotted with ancient monasteries and villages perched on cliffs, their centuries-old prayer wheels whispering secrets into the wind as we turn them while walking past. We trekked along paths lined with vibrantly coloured prayer flags, their fluttering melodies harmonising with the distant chimes of cowbells and the dirt underfoot.The Himalayan giants stood sentinel, their snow-capped peaks glistening under the brilliant sun, casting a spell of awe and reverence upon us. In this ethereal atmosphere, we made our way towards the small village of Brakha (3520 meters altitude), nestled in a valley just short of the AC epicentre (Manang).We found a room for the night at what was easily the most well kept tea house on the entire trek, glad that we had made the decision to stay in Brakha over Manang. We began feeling as if we were threading through a tapestry of nature’s most exquisite artistry — learning that most times the journey is more important than the destination.<figure id="3197"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*beJrgRQvUGZros7YQfJobQ.png"><figcaption>Early morning view from the Monastery at Upper Pisang</figcaption></figure>Trekking Day #3 — Brakha to Khangsar (the first leg of the Tilicho Lake addition) is a relatively short day, leaving early and halting for an hour in Manang — refuelling on local caffeine and pastries. The traverse from Brakha to Khangsar felt like a passage into a different realm. Leaving behind the familiar trails among the tree line, we discovered a more rugged and untamed wilderness. The trail meandered through an alpine landscape, a stark contrast to the lush forests and verdant valleys we had conquered earlier in our trek. The arid terrain and the occasional glimpse of glacial rivers winding their way through the rocky expanse created an eerie yet captivating atmosphere. With every step, we ventured deeper into the heart of the Himalayas, where the elements held sway and where the silence of the mountains enveloped us, inviting a sense of introspection and self-reflection.As we approached Khangsar, a remote village on the side of a valley, the warmth and welcoming nature of the local community were a beacon of light in this otherwise continually challenging atmosphere. After reaching Khangsar (3765

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meters altitude) we spent the afternoon/night relaxing by the tea house fire and reminiscing on the journey that had been.Tomorrow held one of the most demanding days of the trek thus far. The trek from Khangsar to Tilicho Base Camp. Feeling confident, we settled in for an early night.<figure id="1a0d"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*U8Iv6_zZy0ZVhGBH-csDSA.png"><figcaption>The most technically dangerous section of the trek — scree slopes from Khangsar to Tilicho Base Camp</figcaption></figure>Trekking Day #4 — The trek from Khangsar to Tilicho Base Camp was a grueling yet extremely rewarding leg of our Himalayan journey. As we ascended to much higher altitudes, the trail presented us with challenging rocky terrain, steep ascents, and extensive landslide prone areas that kept our hearts racing. The barren landscape appeared unlike anything we had ever seen before, with jagged ridges and scattered boulders creating an alien-like scenery. The most striking realization, however, was the sheer power of the sun at this altitude. Its intense rays beat down upon us relentlessly, reflecting off the snowy landscape, reminding us of our vulnerability in this harsh, high-altitude environment. Covering up as much as possible was not enough to combat the relentless UV, subsequently each sample of shade we reached was a blessing.By far the most technically dangerous section of the tilicho lake trek was the traverse through the scree slopes. There is one rule when crossing such terrain — DO NOT STOP WALKING. Just days before our arrival, this unforgiving, meter wide portion of the route took the lives of two young males on the same mission as us… It was a heart-pounding moment in our adventure, where the very ground beneath our feet seemed to challenge our every step. We gingerly navigated the loose, shifting terrain, feeling like we were partiking in a delicate dance with the mountains themselves. The scree, like a treacherous mosaic of small stones and gravel, demanded the utmost concentration and balance. Each footfall sending tiny avalanches of scree cascading downhill, a reminder of the mountain’s relentless indifference to our presence. One wrong move, and we could easily find ourselves sliding down the steep slopes.Nevertheless, the mesmerizing views of the surrounding peaks, coupled with the sense of accomplishment as we neared Tilicho Base Camp (4160 meters altitude), made this challenging stretch of the journey an unforgettable experience, leaving us with a newfound appreciation for the Himalayas’ raw beauty and the perseverance it takes to explore them.<figure id="1aa7"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*dyQD4Zr0tuDrixGf6THX8Q.png"><figcaption></figcaption></figure></article></body>

T.E.P #6 : The Hunt for High Himalayas (Memoir 4)

In this Memoir, we commence the trekking journey… We lace up our hiking boots, grab our trekking poles and venture into the pristine wilderness of the high Himalayas. Our expedition starts in the charming village of Chame, as we set our sights on reaching the majestic Tilicho Base Camp (an absolute must see addition to the Annapurna Circuit).

If you haven’t already, read the predecessor to this edition here:

The Endless Pursuit #5 : The Hunt for High Himalayas (Memoir 3)

Welcome to the third installment of The Endless Pursuit — The Hunt for High Himalayas. Today I’ll be detailing the…

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We’ve woken up. Had our fair share of dahl baht for breakfast alongside a tea. Prepared for our first day of proper trekking. Eager — an understatement.

First major establishment since leaving Chame, an apple farm

Trekking Day #1 — The remarkable beginning to our high Himalayan adventure set out at 8am from Chame, a picturesque village nestled within the Annapurna region. The morning air was crisp and invigorating. The towering peaks of the Annapurna range peered over the forestry ahead, serving as a constant reminder of the terrain we were about to explore. Our trail led us through lush pine forests, where the aroma of the alpine vegetation filled the air, and the gushing river provided a soothing soundtrack to our journey.

We gradually ascended, trekking further out of the forests arrived in Upper Pisang, a quaint village adorned with traditional stone houses and colorful prayer flags fluttering in the breeze. This village sitting at 3300 meters altitude was a shock to the respiratory system having come from 2650 meters the night before. The warm hospitality of the locals and the panoramic views of the surrounding Himalayan peaks (some of the best views of the entire trek) left us with an increased sense of gratitude, setting the stage for the awe-inspiring days to come.

Trekking through the pine forestry on the way to Upper Pisang

Trekking Day #2 — Day two of trekking in Nepalese mountains and it was all about reaching Brakha. On our journey from Upper Pisang to Brakha, we were on a surreal odyssey that felt like stepping into a realm where time itself had slowed down. As we left the charming village of Upper Pisang behind, the terrain transformed into a dreamscape of rugged beauty. The landscape was dotted with ancient monasteries and villages perched on cliffs, their centuries-old prayer wheels whispering secrets into the wind as we turn them while walking past. We trekked along paths lined with vibrantly coloured prayer flags, their fluttering melodies harmonising with the distant chimes of cowbells and the dirt underfoot.

The Himalayan giants stood sentinel, their snow-capped peaks glistening under the brilliant sun, casting a spell of awe and reverence upon us. In this ethereal atmosphere, we made our way towards the small village of Brakha (3520 meters altitude), nestled in a valley just short of the AC epicentre (Manang).

We found a room for the night at what was easily the most well kept tea house on the entire trek, glad that we had made the decision to stay in Brakha over Manang. We began feeling as if we were threading through a tapestry of nature’s most exquisite artistry — learning that most times the journey is more important than the destination.

Early morning view from the Monastery at Upper Pisang

Trekking Day #3 — Brakha to Khangsar (the first leg of the Tilicho Lake addition) is a relatively short day, leaving early and halting for an hour in Manang — refuelling on local caffeine and pastries. The traverse from Brakha to Khangsar felt like a passage into a different realm. Leaving behind the familiar trails among the tree line, we discovered a more rugged and untamed wilderness. The trail meandered through an alpine landscape, a stark contrast to the lush forests and verdant valleys we had conquered earlier in our trek. The arid terrain and the occasional glimpse of glacial rivers winding their way through the rocky expanse created an eerie yet captivating atmosphere. With every step, we ventured deeper into the heart of the Himalayas, where the elements held sway and where the silence of the mountains enveloped us, inviting a sense of introspection and self-reflection.

As we approached Khangsar, a remote village on the side of a valley, the warmth and welcoming nature of the local community were a beacon of light in this otherwise continually challenging atmosphere. After reaching Khangsar (3765 meters altitude) we spent the afternoon/night relaxing by the tea house fire and reminiscing on the journey that had been.

Tomorrow held one of the most demanding days of the trek thus far. The trek from Khangsar to Tilicho Base Camp. Feeling confident, we settled in for an early night.

The most technically dangerous section of the trek — scree slopes from Khangsar to Tilicho Base Camp

Trekking Day #4 — The trek from Khangsar to Tilicho Base Camp was a grueling yet extremely rewarding leg of our Himalayan journey. As we ascended to much higher altitudes, the trail presented us with challenging rocky terrain, steep ascents, and extensive landslide prone areas that kept our hearts racing. The barren landscape appeared unlike anything we had ever seen before, with jagged ridges and scattered boulders creating an alien-like scenery. The most striking realization, however, was the sheer power of the sun at this altitude. Its intense rays beat down upon us relentlessly, reflecting off the snowy landscape, reminding us of our vulnerability in this harsh, high-altitude environment. Covering up as much as possible was not enough to combat the relentless UV, subsequently each sample of shade we reached was a blessing.

By far the most technically dangerous section of the tilicho lake trek was the traverse through the scree slopes. There is one rule when crossing such terrain — DO NOT STOP WALKING. Just days before our arrival, this unforgiving, meter wide portion of the route took the lives of two young males on the same mission as us… It was a heart-pounding moment in our adventure, where the very ground beneath our feet seemed to challenge our every step. We gingerly navigated the loose, shifting terrain, feeling like we were partiking in a delicate dance with the mountains themselves. The scree, like a treacherous mosaic of small stones and gravel, demanded the utmost concentration and balance. Each footfall sending tiny avalanches of scree cascading downhill, a reminder of the mountain’s relentless indifference to our presence. One wrong move, and we could easily find ourselves sliding down the steep slopes.

Nevertheless, the mesmerizing views of the surrounding peaks, coupled with the sense of accomplishment as we neared Tilicho Base Camp (4160 meters altitude), made this challenging stretch of the journey an unforgettable experience, leaving us with a newfound appreciation for the Himalayas’ raw beauty and the perseverance it takes to explore them.